Mary Ann Cotton

1832 - 1873

Mary Ann Cotton (1832-1873)

Mary Ann Robson was born in October, 1832, in Moorsley, Co. Durham
Her father was a miner who died while mining at Murton Colliery
Her mother had to raise her children all by herself
She met and merry her first husband, William Mowbray
They had 5 children together, but four of them died from gastric problems
William Mowbray died of an intestinal problem in January, 1865
His intestinal problem was caused by Mary Ann, she used arsenic and this caused his death
She had a second marriage with George Ward in August, 1865
George Ward suffered from illness and died in October, 1865
George's illness was caused by Mary Ann, she used arsenic and this caused his death
She had a third marriage with James Robinson and their child was born in November, 1867
The baby died of the mysterious gastric symptoms in March, 1868
James Robinson began to be suspicious
Mary Ann started to run up debts
James threw her out after finding out she had forced his children to pawn household possessions
Mary Ann murdered James by using arsenic
Her friend, Margaret Cotton introduced her to her brother, Frederick Cotton
She had a fourth marriage with Frederick Cotton and their son was born soon after
Frederick suffered with a mysterious stomach complaint and died in December, 1870
Frederick's mysterious stomach complaint was caused by Mary Ann, she used arsenic and this led to his death
Her fourth marriage ended short
Very soon, she fell in love with Joseph Nattress and got pregnant
Joseph Nattress died of the mysterious gastric fever in March
Joseph's mysterious gastric fever was caused by Mary Ann, she used arsenic and this caused his death
Frederick Cotton Jr. and her own baby son, Charles Cotton, died of the mysterious gastric fever in March, 1872
Again, Mary Ann used arsenic to murder her children
Known victims:
- William Mowbray - first husband
- George Ward - second husband
- James Robinson - third husband
- Frederick Cotton - fourth husband
- Frederick Cotton Jr. - one of her children
- Charles Cotton - one of her children
Mary Ann Cotton killed 21 people in total, including her husbands and children, by using arsenic
She collected their insurance money
She was hanged on March 24, 1873, at the Durham County Jail